I'm going to be changing the oil in my sister's trucklet tomorrow (or Sunday if the weather doesn't cooperate). I'll check it at shutdown +5 and have my BIL check it the following morning and let y'all know what I find.

Usually "cold" oil level is higher than hot. More oil has had time to drip down to the pan , say overnight. That's been my experience.
Checking the oil when the engine is hot is "industry standard" so everyone is on the same page.

Usually "cold" oil level is higher than hot. More oil has had time to drip down to the pan , say overnight. That's been my experience.
Checking the oil when the engine is hot is "industry standard" so everyone is on the same page.

Kevin

I think a 'hot' engine is defined as a running engine like when you check your trans oil. The Owners manual says shut the engine off and wait 'more than five minutes' before checking the oil level. Obviously the dip stick is calibrated to measure the oil in the pan so you want all the oil in the pan.

Tom

2010 RAV4 Limited 4WD V6 Blizzard Pearl

To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top." — Robert M. Pirsig

Bringing this thread back to life.. it is somewhat related to what I am experiencing...but no dealership is in this story since I do my own oil changes.

I have inconsistent and inaccurate readings of the oil level with my dipstick (08 sport I4).

Plain and simple (but really silly to ask) what is the proper procedure to measure the oil level??? cold engine, hot/warm engine (definitely engine off in both cases), but most intriguing is what direction should the raised notch(s) face when inserted? I dont have pics with me (soon to be posted) see the OPs pics for reference.

I am experiencing weird readings in which either side of the dipstick will give different readings in the same pull... raised notch will show 1/2 full, backside at full or more.. WTF??? Even if I do a really quick insert and pull to read i see the same pattern. same when inverting the notch.

pepepeter, if you have different readings on opposite sides of your dipstick, you should use the lower one. The higher side may have oil smear from rubbing against some internal surface. Meanwhile, it's practically impossible for the dipstick, dipped in oil, to have it partially wiped clean from the action of removing the dipstick.